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MEMOIR 

JOANNA WOODBERRY REDDINGTON, 



BY SAMUEL S. MALLERY. 

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WRITTEN FOR THE NEW ENGLAND SABBATH SCHOOL 
UNION, AND REVISED BY THE COMMITTEE OF 



PUBLICATION. 



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BOSTON t 

NEW ENGLAND SABBATH SCHOOL UNION, 

\ Depository; No. 47 Cornhill. 

183 7. 



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Entered according to Vet of Congress, in the vcar 1837, by 

Assent, in trust for the New England Sabbath School Union, in 
- S the Clerk ? s office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 



3/*<£ • 



PRINTED BY HENRY J. HOWLAND, 
WORCESTER. 



P It E F A C E 



Perhaps there is no class of Sabbath School books 
more generally interesting than religious memoirs* 
Certain it is, that none are more eagerly sought for 
in the Sabbath School library. Whether we consider 
their adaptedness to please and enlighten the under- 
standing, or their tendency to affect and improve the 
heart, their utility is abundantly obvious. Their influ- 
ence is second only to that of the living example. 
Exhibiting as they do, a practical illustration of re- 
ligious principles, their effect is salutary on persons 
of all ages. To the young, they present peculiar at- 
tractions, inasmuch as they exhibit evangelical truth 
through the medium of such images and facts as come 



V PREFACE. 

within the range of daily observation, in their own 
sphere of life. The truth, which in its abstract form 
would perhaps be uninteresting and ineffective, when 
thus illustrated and enforced by a simple, unadorned 
narration of facts, exerts a sanctifying influence over 
their minds, and convinces them of the necessity and 
advantages of religion. It induces serious reflection 
and frequently results in the saving conversion of 
the soul. 

The object of this work is to exhibit the operations 
of the Grace of God upon the heart and life, and pre- 
sent an attractive picture of early piety, which will 
allure its youthtul readers to the Saviour, and encour- 
age parents and Sabbath School teachers to prose- 
cute with untiring zeal the work of religious instruc- 
tion. The facts which it describes are neither exag- 
gerated nor highly colored for the sake of effect. 
Nothing has been admitted which is not, so far as 
the author could ascertain, strictly true. It records 
not one of " those deaths with which the life has no 
correspondence, — for which it is no preparation, — 



PREFACE. V 

and of which it yields no reasonable hope " ; — not 
the death of a child in whom was discovered the indi- 
cations of piety only in the close of life, but of one 
whose life and conversation, for three years, have fur- 
nished the most satisfactory evidence of christian 
character. In those cases we rejoice with trembling 
hope, in this, with strong assurance. 

May the blessing of God accompany it, and make 
it the means of inducing many other children to seek 
the Lord, that they also may be happy whether living 
or dying. 



CONTENTS. 



Chap. I. Parentage. Sickness. Death of her father. 
Residence at Boxford. Her mother's death. Removal 
to Woburn. Revival of religion. Anxiety to read the 
Bible, 9 

Chap. II. Conviction and sorrow for sin. Conversa- 
tion with her Pastor, Effect of reading the Scriptures. 
Conversion. Religious joy. Evidence of a gracious 
change, 17 

Chap. III. Secret prayer. Rejoicing in the family. 
Impressions and conversation on Baptism. Desire to 
make a profession of religion. Anecdote* Early piety. 
Relation of her experience to the church. Her Baptism, 29 

Chap. IV. The Lord's Supper. Attachment to the 
Church. Filial obedience. Patience. Love to the 
Sabbath School. Four resolutions. Anxiety for the 
salvation of others. Decline of health. Morning walks. 
Removal to Hopkinton. Visit to Wendell. No hope 
of recovery. Cheerfulness and submission. Thoughts 
about dying. Love to the church. Gratitude for 
friends and favors, 1 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

Chap. VI. Messages of love to relatives and friends. 

The parting scene. Faith triumphant over death. The 

close of life, 63 

Chap. VII. Counsels to the young. Farewell letter to 

the Sabbath School in Woburn. Testimony of Mrs. J2. 

Pleasures of piety, 75 



MEMOIR 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 



CHAPTER L 

Parentage. Sickness. Death of her father. Residence at 
Boxford. Her mother's death. Removal to Woburn. Re- 
vival of religion. Anxiety to read the Bible. 

The subject of the following memoir was born 
in Beverly, Massachusetts, May 20, 1817. Her 
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Woodberry, were pious 
people, and members of the Congregational 
church. At the age of three years she was dan- 
gerously sick, and for a long time but little hope 
was entertained of her recovery. From this dis- 
tressing illness, however, she recovered, although 
its effects, through life, were manifest in her fee- 
ble constitution and delicate health. 
2 



10 MEMOIR OF 

A few months subsequent to this period, she 
was deprived of an affectionate and tender father. 
Mr. Woodberry died in the triumphs of faith, re- 
joicing in the confident expectation that when 
absent from the body, he should be present with 
the Lord. 

In consequence of the change produced in the 
family by his decease, she was taken to reside 
with her grandparents, at the distance of about 
three miles. 

Possessing an amiable disposition, she was 
much beloved by her grandparents, and all the 
other members of the family. She remained 
with them about a year, when on account of 
her grandmother's death, she returned to reside 
with her mother. But she was permitted to re- 
ceive her instruction, and listen to her prayers 
only a few months. Mrs. Woodberry's health 
declined so far that she was no longer able to take 
care of her dear child. Subsequent to this peri- 
od, Joanna spent most of her time with various 
relatives, where she was favored with opportuni- 
ty of attending school. 

Being blessed with an uncommonly retentive 
memory, by diligent application to her books, 
she soon became distinguished for the ease and 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 11 

rapidity with which she acquired a knowledge of 
whatever she attempted to learn. In each place 
where she studied, she was noted for her love for 
her teachers, her pleasure in learning, and her 
determination to be first in her class At the age 
of nine years she went to reside with her uncle, 
Mr. John Reddington, in the town of Boxford. 
When she had been there but a few weeks, she 
was sent for by her mother, who supposing her- 
self to be near the close of life, wished once more 
to see her dear Joanna before she closed her eyes 
in that sleep which knows no waking. Accom- 
panied by her uncle and aunt Reddington, she 
entered the dwelling where her dearest and best 
earthly friend was confined to a bed of languish- 
ing, from which death was about to release her # 
How solemn and affecting the scene ? A moth- 
er taking a last farewell of a beloved child, who 
was soon to be left an orphan in a world of sin 
and temptation, — a dying mother bestowing her 
latest blessing upon her sorrowing child. " My 
dear Joanna, you see that my Heavenly Father 
is about to call me from this scene of suffering 
and affliction. In a few more hours you will be 
left without father or mother, and who then will 
be your friend ? O there is One in heaven, who 



12 MEMOIR OF 

will be better to you than the kindest parent ; 
and if you will love him and obey his command- 
ments, he will never forsake you. He has prom- 
ised to be the Father of the fatherless. I am 
not afraid to die, for I know whom I have be- 
lieved, and am persuaded that he is able to keep 
that which I have committed unto him against 
that day. When I am dead and buried in the 
cold ground, and you can no longer see the eyes 
that have watched your infantile moments, nor 
hear the voice that has instructed your child- 
hood, forget not your mother's counsels and pray- 
ers. Remember that her latest breath was spent 
in supplicating the blessing of Heaven upon her 
orphan child. May that blessed Saviour, who has 
been her unfailing friend and portion, be also 
yours. Look to him and he will raise up friends 
who will take care of you. I commit you into 
his hands, and may he by his grace prepare you 
to meet me in his glorious presence above, where 
no tear of sorrow ever flows." 

Poor Joanna's heart was ready to burst with 
grief, and the tears rolled down her cheeks while 
she listened to these faint and faltering accents 
of her dying mother. Again and again she kis- 
sed her pallid lips ; and receiving the same to- 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 13 

ken of affection, she retired to a corner of the 
room to give vent to the tide of her grief, which 
was becoming too strong to be restrained any 
longer. 

Mr. Reddington now requested permission of 
Mrs. Woodberry to take her daughter and bring 
her up as one of his own children. To this gen- 
erous proposal she readily and thankfully acce- 
ded. Her uncle and aunt, therefore, took upon 
themselves the solemn responsibility of training 
up this little girl in the nurture and admonition 
of the Lord. 

When her mother died she was greatly distres- 
sed. She wept as though her heart would break 
when she found herself thus deprived of her 
dearest friend. She did not know where she 
should live, or who would be to her as a father 
and mother. Although she had been taught 
much about God, yet she did not know him, nor 
truly love him. Therefore she did not find any 
relief from the burden of her grief by praying to 
him. But when she was informed that her uncle 
and aunt had adopted her as their own daughter, 
and would be to her as a father and mother, 
she was comforted and felt thankful that she had 
such kind friends. 



14 MEMOIR OF 

In December 182G, Mr. Reddington removed 
from Boxford to Woburn. This is a very pleas- 
ant flourishing town, ten miles north of Boston. 
A revival of religion had recently commenced in 
the Baptist congregation at that time under the 
pastoral charge of the writer. A few persons 
had repented of their sins and believed on the 
Lord Jesus Christ. Many others were inquiring 
what they should do to be saved, and the work 
was powerfully extending itself. 

Mrs. R. was a member of the Congregational 
church : Mr. R. was not a professor of religion, 
but regularly attended public worship at the Bap- 
tist church. The pastor frequently preached 
in the neighborhood where Joanna lived, but she 
knew but little about the meetings, for when they 
were at her uncle's house, she was sent to bed 
before they commenced, with the other children. 
This was not owing to any deficiency of affection 
or want of interest in her happiness, but to the 
very erroneous, and at that time prevalent belief, 
that children of eight or nine years of age, were 
incapable of becoming christians. 

Although that error is not so extensively prev- 
alent now as it was in former years, yet there are 
too many persons, who stiil think it useless to 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 15 

converse with children of that age on the subject 
of religion. But the number of such faithless 
professors is rapidly decreasing. Since the hap- 
py results of early religious instruction have been 
more fully exhibited by the aid of Sabbath schools, 
christians are not so unbelieving about early pi- 
ety. Ministers of the gospel especially, bestow 
much nore attention on the youth and children 
in their congregations, endeavoring both in pub- 
lic and private to teach them the good and right 
way. They are sensible that they are neglecting 
an important part of their responsible work if they 
neglect the instruction of the young. 

As Mr. Reddington resided a mile and a half 
from the village, and as the weather was cold, 
Joanna had not the privilege of attending public 
worship on the sabbath. Notwithstanding these 
disadvantages, it seems the Holy Spirit was op- 
erating upon her mind, and by a divine influence 
gradually inclining her to feel a deeper interest 
in the word of God. Whenever she could find 
a convenient opportunity, she would take her bi- 
ble and read a chapter, or part of one, and then 
consider what she had read and try to under- 
stand its meaning. She had been taught by her 
departed mother, that the Scriptures could teach 



16 MEMOIR OF 

her the way of salvation, and she wished to read 
them, that she might be guided to the Saviour of 
sinners. But her aunt, who knew nothing of her 
state of mind, was desirous 10 have her attend to 
her school books, and kept her so constantly em- 
ployed with lessons, that she could find but little 
time to search the scriptures. Let me remind 
my young readers, that at this time she had not 
the advantage of attending the Sabbath School. 
Your privileges therefore, I suppose, are much 
greater than hers were. Your parents encour- 
age you to read the Bible and endeavor to help 
you understand it. Your Sabbath School Teach- 
ers when they meet you in the class, explain 
some portion of God's word to you every Sabbath, 
and pray for you daily that you may be made 
wise unto salvation. You must remember, that 
where much is given much is required. 

When Mrs. Reddington went from home to 
make a visit among her neighbors, she allowed 
Joanna to have the afternoon to herself, to spend 
in any kind of amusement she desired. But in- 
stead of wasting her time in foolish plays, she 
would go away by herself and spend it in reading 
her Bible. She considered it a great privilege 
that she could have this blessed book to read, 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 17 

when there are in heathen countries so many 
millions who never saw nor heard of it, nor of 
the Saviour of lost men whom it reveals. 



CHAPTER II. 

Conviction and sorrow for sin. Conversation with her Pastor. 
Effect of reading the Scriptures. Conversion. Religious 
joy. Evidence of a gracious change. 

The first intimation which Joanna gave of her 
anxiety to search the scriptures, was in the ab- 
sence of her aunt. She remarked to some one, 
that on one account, she was glad to have her 
aunt go from home ; for in her absence she was 
not obliged to get so many lessons, and therefore 
had sufficient time to read about the Saviour, and 
that heavenly world where her dear parents had 
gone. By reading ^the scriptures, she was con- 
vinced that she had a wicked heart, and that 
she must repent of her sins and love the Saviour, 



18 MEMOIR OF 

or else be excluded from heaven. Her mind 
was enlightened by the Holy Spirit, who was all 
this time striving with her, so that she felt her 
need of an interest in the Saviour's pardoning 
mercy. She had learned from the Bible that Je- 
sus came to save his people from their sins, and 
that he shed his blood on the cross to open 
away of salvation to the guilty and lost. She 
had learned also, that he was able to save to the 
uttermost all that come unto God by him, and 
that he had graciously invited perishing sinners 
to look unto him and be saved. 

While she was revolving these thoughts in her 
mind from day to day, she appeared more serious 
than usual, and was frequently found weeping in 
some retired place. But none of the family knew 
the true cause of her grief. 

At first they supposed it was occasioned by the 
dangerous illness of her aunt. But her remain- 
ing in the same state of mind after Mrs. Redding- 
ton began to recover, made her uncle suppose" 
there was some other cause for her seriousness. 
One day when she was seated in his lap, he said 
to her, " Joanna, why do you look so sorrowful 
and weep so frequently? Your aunt is better 
and will, we think, in a few days be well again. 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 19 

I hope it is not on her account that you feel so 
bad." "No Sir," said she, " that is not the rea- 
son." " Well my dear, why will you not tell me 
what is the reason, and let me know all about 
your trouble." " O," said she, " uncle, I am a 
great sinner, and have a deceitful and wicked 
heart. I have offended a just and holy God, and 
I wonder that he has suffered so wicked a child 
to live. I am afraid that I have committed so much 
sin, that he never will forgive me ; and if he does 
not, I can never enter the kingdom of Heaven." 
He told her she must read the Bible, and pray to 
God to have mercy on her, and pardon her sins 
for the sake of Christ. She replied, " I do not 
know as it is right for me to read the word of 
God. I feel as I never did before. It seems to 
me I am the greatest sinner in the world. I am 
too wicked to look to Christ for mercy." 

Her uncle replied, that Christ came not to 
call the righteous, but sinners to repentance, and 
that no one, however sinful, who should come 
to him with a penitent heart, would be rejected. 
But he hardly knew what he ought to say to her, 
for he himself was a stranger to that peace of 
mind after which his neice was seeking. His 
own mind was impressed with a conviction of his 



20 MEMOIR OF 

sins, and this conversation served only to increase 
his concern for the welfare of his soul. 

As soon as her uncle and aunt knew the cause 
of her appearing so gloomy, they permitted her 
to attend the meetings. When there was a con- 
ference or prayer meeting, she was much affec- 
ted in hearing some of the young people speak of 
the Saviour's love, and the happiness of a chris- 
tian life, which they had recently experienced. 
O, she thought she would give all the world, if 
she had it, to have her burden of sin taken away, 
and to feel as happy as they did. When there 
was preaching, she listened with deep anxiety, 
to hear if there was any encouragement for her, 
to know if it was possible for her to find mercy. 
Sometimes people sit verycarelessly under preach- 
ing, and are not concerned nor affected when 
the most solemn and weighty truths are delivered. 
They do not consider that for every gospel ser- 
mon they hear, they will have to give an account 
at the bar of God. If they did, they would take 
heed how they hear, and then the gospel would ' 
become the instrument of their salvation. 

When the minister discoursed on death and 
future judgment, she trembled for fear that she 
should finally be among those to whom the Judge 



JOANNA W, REDDINGTON. 21 

will say, " Depart from me ye workers of iniqui- 
ty, I know you not." O, how earnest she was 
to know how she might escape from the wrath to 
come. When he spoke of the love of Christ, his 
sufferings on the cross, and his intercession for 
sinners, even the rebellious, she ardently desired 
to throw herself at his feet, and implore his par- 
doning mercy. The more she looked at her sit- 
uation, the more she saw of her sinfulness. She 
saw herself justly condemned by the law of God 
as a sinner, and cut off from all hopes of accept- 
ance on the ground of her own merit. When 
she read these words of the Saviour, " Except 
your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness 
of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case 
enter into the kingdom of heaven, " she saw 
clearly, that nothing but the righteousness of 
Christ would answer her purpose. The more 
she looked at her condition, the worse it appear- 
ed to her. She viewed herself guilty and con- 
demned by a holy law. How should the sen- 
tence be reversed ? She knew herself lost and 
helpless. What could she do ? 

In this state of mind she remained nearly three 
weeks. Sometimes she feared she had neglect- 
ed religion so long, that it was now too late to 
3 



22 MEMOIR OF 

seek for salvation. These fears she made 
known to the Pastor of the church at the close of 
one of his evening lectures. He endeavored to 
convince her that they were the suggestions of 
Satan and ought not to be harbored. He urged 
her to abandon all dependence upon her own 
works, since no tears, prayers or sufferings of her 
own, would atone for the least of her sins. He 
entreated her to renounce every thing sinful and 
and fly immediately to Christ, and trust solely in 
his merits for salvation. He encouraged her 
with the assurance, that the moment she should 
give herself up wholly to the Saviour, and trust 
simply and entirely in him for redemption, that 
moment her sins would be forgiven. 

This conversation, in some measure, dispelled 
her gloomy fears, and led her to pray more fer- 
vently. When she read the Bible she was en- 
couraged to seek for pardoning mercy by its 
precious promises. She had been referred to 
the 55th chapter of Isaiah. As soon as she found 
an opportunity she retired to read it. There 
was something irresistibly sweet and influen- 
tial in the inviting language of the first three 
verses. " Ho every one that thirsteth, come ye 
to the waters, and he that hath no money ; come 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 23 

ye, buy and eat ; yea come, buy wine and milk 
without money and without price. Wherefore do 
ye spend your money for that which is not bread, 
and your labor for that which satisfieth not ? 
Hearken diligently unto me, and eat you that 
which is good, and let your soul delight itself in 
fatness. Incline your ear and come unto me: 
hear, and your soul shall live ; and I will make 
an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure 
mercies of David." Light in some degree broke 
in upon her mind, and she had a view of Christ 
as the way, the truth and the life, as the only 
Saviour of lost sinners. In him she saw an infi- 
nite fulness of every thing she needed. She 
needed the pardon of her sins, a justifying right- 
eousness and a new heart. All of these, and eve- 
ry other blessing, she beheld in Christ. She 
then read again till she came to the conclusion 
of the 6th and 7th verses. " Seek ye the Lord 
while he may be found, call ye upon him while he 
is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the 
unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return 
unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon 
him : and to our God for he will abundantly par- 
don." This passage affected her very much. 
She knelt down and confessed with a broken 



24 MEMOIR OP 

heart and contrite spirit her wickedness unto 
God, and prayed that he would assist her to 
return to him, that she might be saved. When 
she arose she finished the chapter, and then 
turned'to that precious invitation of the Saviour, 
contained in the 11th chapter of Matthew, 
" Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy 
laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke 
upon you, and learn of me ; for I am meek and 
lowly in heart ; and ye shall find rest unto your 
souls." What joyful words ! What a compas- 
sionate Saviour ! What a free invitation to sin- 
burdened souls ! How strongly she wisjied she 
had faith to embrace his offered mercy. She 
prostrated herself again in earnest prayer. She 
now felt willing to cast herself at the feet of Je- 
sus as a poor, lost, sinful child, and to depend 
entirely on his mercy to save her from perishing. 
The language of her heart was, 

I '11 go to Jesus, though my sin 

Hath like a mountain rose ; 
I know his courts, I '11 enter in, 

Whatever may "oppose. 

I can but perish if I go ; 
I am resolved to try ; 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 25 

For if I stay away I know 
I must forever die." 



She gave up all for Christ and submitted her- 
self entirely to his will. The burden of sin was 
removed from her soul, the darkness of her mind 
was dispelled, and her heart was filled with joy. 
She viewed the Saviour as the one altogether 
lovely, and the chief among ten thousands. She 
knew that she felt happy, but still was not aware, 
that she had experienced a saving change. In 
the morning when she arose, the earth seemed 
to wear a brighter aspect, and she thought the 
sun diffused a more cheerful light. She looked 
with new delight on the diversified scenery of 
nature, and thought the rocks, hills, trees, rivers 
and mountains had never appeared so beautiful. 
She never before had so fully understood the 
meaning of the Psalmist, when he said, "All 
thy works praise thee, O God : in wisdom thou 
hast made them all." Secret prayer now became 
a pleasure, Christian society and conversation a 
privilege, and the word of God her delight. The 
more she reflected upon the nature of sin, and 
what it cost the Saviour to atone for it, the more 
she felt in her soul to hate and forsake it. I 
3* 



26 MEMOIR OF 

was now her wish to be a disciple of Christ, and 
follow his footsteps in every example he had lefi 
for his people. 

She earnestly desired to live a new and holy 
life, that she might show forth the praises of Him 
who had called her out of darkness into marvel- 
lous light. Her countenance no longer bore the 
marks of dejection ; and it was evident to her 
friends, from her appearance and conversation, 
that she had found relief from the load of guilt 
which had distressed her, although she had no 
assurance yet, in her own mind, that she had 
passed from death unto life. Besides the ev- 
ening lectures, there were frequent conference 
meetings, in which the members of the church, 
exhorted each other to faithfulness in the chris- 
tian life, and entreated those who were yet ene- 
mies to God, to repent of their sins and believe 
on the Lord Jesus Christ. In these meetings al- 
so, the young converts were in the habit of speak- 
ing, to tell what the Lord had done for their 
souls, and to recommend religion to their youth- 
ful friends, who were yet strangers to its joys. 
A few days from the period when Joanna's mind 
was liberated from the bondage of sin, she atten- 
ded a conference where christians seemed very 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 27 

much animated and engaged in the worship of 
God. While they were singing the praises of 
God, she experienced such a flow of peace and 
joy, that she could not forbear to sing with them. 
While christians and young converts described 
the way in which they found pardon and peace 
of mind, the comfort they enjoyed in following 
Christ, and their abhorrence of sin, their love to 
God and his people, and their determinations to 
lead a holy life, she listened with the greatest at- 
tention and satisfaction. She was conscious 
that she had had the same feelings, and that she 
felt a settled resolution to forsake the vanities of 
the world, and devote the remainder of her life 
to the service of God. When she reflected upon 
her past life, she reproached herself that she had 
spent nine years without serving God a single day. 
She most earnestly desired and prayed, that she 
might not be left to spend any more of her pre- 
cious time in sin and folly. But she felt such an 
inward and powerful evidence that God had for 
Christ's sake forgiven her sins, that she could say 
with the Prophet Isaiah, " O Lord I will praise 
thee ; though thou wast angry with me, thine an- 
ger is turned away and thou comfortest me." 



28 MEMOIR OF 

And as she looked around upon a company of 
engaged christians she added, — 

" How happy all thy servants are, 

How great thy grace to me, 
My life which thou hast made thy care, 

Lord, I devote to thee." 

She felt as she had not before, the Spirit of God 
witnessing with her spirit, that she was born of 
God. 

In the course of the meeting one of the breth- 
ren was called upon to pray, who excused him- 
self, by saying he thought it was not his duty. 
This appeared very singular to her, and when she 
returned home she named the circumstance to 
her aunt, saying she wondered how a Christian 
could refuse to pray. "I should think," said 
she, " if he had a sense of the love of Christ to 
sinners, and of what he has experienced of that 
love in his own soul, he would ahcays be ready 
when called upon to engage in such a delightful 
employment." With her mind filled with holy 
tranquillity she retired at a late hour to her bed 
chamber. 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 29 



CHAPTER III. 

Secret prayer. Rejoicing- in the family. Impressions and 
conversation on baptism. Desire to make a profession of 
religion. Anecdote. Early piety. Relation of her experi- 
ence to the church. Her baptism. 

In the morning, before the sun had commenced 
his daily journey through the skies, she arose and 
began the day as every christian should, with 
praise and prayer to God. She fell on her knees 
by the side of her bed and thanked her Heavenly 
Father for all the mercies he had bestowed upon 
her, for all the blessings of his goodness she now 
enjoyed, and above all, for that blessed hope of 
salvation that now filled her soul with that peace 
which the world cannot give nor take away. She 
prayed that she might be kept from all sin, and 
that throughout her life she might glorify God 
and enjoy his life-giving presence. 

When she had thus committed her way to the 
Lord, she came down and with a smiling coun- 
tenance, informed her uncle that she had never 
seen such a beautiful morning. " Every thing 
looks so pleasant and seems to be praising God. 



30 MEMOIR OF 

I wonder that I never saw things in this manner 
before. It seems to me, uncle, that there never 
was such a meeting as that was last evening. — 
I am sure that I never had such feelings before. 
What a beautiful hymn that is, which they sung 
so sweetly, 

1 O how happy are they, 
Who their Saviour obey, 

And have laid up their treasure above ; 
Tongue can never express 
The sweet comfort and peace 

Of a soul in its earliest love.' 

When they had sung it through, I could hardly 
keep my seat. I wanted to arise and tell them 
how happy I was, and how much I loved the 
Saviour. But I was afraid they would think it 
wrong for so young a child to speak in meeting, 
and that I was not old enough to be a christian ; 
so I said nothing. When I retired to my cham- 
ber, my mind was so filled with peace, and the 
Saviour appeared so precious, that I could not 
go to sleep till a little before the dawn of day. 
I was so happy that I could scarcely refrain from 
singing aloud in the silent watches of the night." 
At their request, she gave a full and particular 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 31 

account of her religious exercises to her uncle 
and aunt, which not only confirmed their pre- 
vious impressions that she had submitted her 
heart to God, but occasioned great joy in the 
family. Well they might rejoice. Those happy 
and glorious beings who stand before the throne 
of God day and night, to sing his praise with 
their harps of gold, know infinitely more than we 
do about the value of the immortal soul ; and 
Jesus has said, " There is joy in the presence of 
the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." 
Christians feel in some measure as the holy angels 
do, and they know something of the value of the 
soul, and therefore they rejoice when a sinner 
repents. Religious joy is of a diffusive nature. 
The person who possesses it, feels an almost irre- 
sistible desire to reveal it to others; and it is not 
only right, but even essential to his happiness 
that he should make it known to others. When 
Christ fed the multitude in the wilderness with 
five loaves and two fishes, the provision was in- 
creased in the distribution of it. In a similar 
manner, the joy of the christian is augmented by 
diffusion. When Joanna had related her feelings 
to her adopted parents, her joys were greater than 
they were before. As the prisoner sent forth to 



32 MEMOIR OF 

breathe the fresh air exults in the liberty he has 
re-gained, so her soul arose above the vanities of 
the world, rejoicing in the liberty of the sons of 
God. 

The Apostle has said "We know that we 
have passed from death unto life, because we 
love the brethren. n This evidence of her piety- 
was very soon exhibited. She informed her 
aunt in the afternoon, that she should like to see 
some of the members of the church, and hear 
them converse on the subject of religion. Per- 
mission was accordingly given her to go out and 
call on any person she wished to see. In each 
place among the neighboring families where she 
called, she found either some aged christian, or 
some of the young converts ; and with both she 
conversed freely on the subject that now had such 
an absorbing influence over her mind. Those 
who heard her conversation, were both pleased 
and surprised, to hear so young a child talk so 
sensibly ; and obtained satisfactory evidence that 
she had indeed become a disciple of Him, who 
said " Suffer little children to come unto me and 
forbid them not." 

, Sometimes children experience something sim- 
ilar to this, and for a while seem to rejoice, and 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 33 

then become tired of religious duties and turn 
again to their childish plays and sinful habits. 
These hopeful indications of early piety, which 
were beginning to gladden the hearts of anxious 
parents, pass away like the early cloud and morn- 
ing dew. But such were not the exercises of 
Joanna. In her heart, the seed of God's holy 
word had taken deep root. The soil had been 
prepared for its reception by the Holy Spirit, and 
when lodged there it sprang up and brought forth 
fruit to the glory of God. She continued to enjoy, 
from day to day, increasing comfort in religious 
duties, and to manifest a strong attachment to 
christian people. The public worship of God 
was now so pleasant, that she wondered she never 
had before found such enjoyment in the duties of 
the sabbath. This was now the pleasantest day 
in all the week. 

The Pastor of the church asked her one day 
among many other questions, if she enjoyed as 
much comfort in the society of christians, as she 
had formerly found in the company of her youth- 
ful associates. She replied, " Yes sir, I think I 
experience more true happiness now in one hour 
in the service of God, than I ever did in all my 
4 



34 MEMOIR OF 

life before, while engaged in the service of sin. 
I see now that there are but two classes of peo- 
ple, and I wish to be with those who love Christ 
and delight to keep his commandments. ' I had 
rather suffer affliction with the people of God, 
than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.' 
I formerly respected christian people, but now I 
love them." 

From the time she first indulged a hope, she 
began to search the scriptures for a knowledge 
of duty. Her inquiry was, " Lord, what wilt thou 
have me to do?" Though the Pastor had never 
conversed with her on the subject of baptism, she 
had of her own accord, after reading the New 
Testament, frequently introduced it in conversa- 
tion with her aunt, and informed her that she 
wished to be baptized and become a member of 
the church. Her views in relation to this ordi- 
nance of the gospel, were evidently the result of 
an honest and unprejudiced reading of the Scrip- 
tures. She observed to her aunt one day, "I 
have heard people talk about two baptisms, sprink- 
ling and immersion ; but I was reading this 
morning in the 4th chapter of Ephesians, where 
it says, ' One Lord, one faith, and one baptism.' " 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 35 

Her aunt inquired, " How do you suppose Christ 
was baptized?" " By immersion." " Why do 
you think so?" "Because, I read in the 3d 
chapter of Matthew that ' when he was baptized 
he went up straightway out of the water' ; and 
in the 1st chapter of Mark, that he ' was baptized 
of John in Jordan.' " " Yes, but it does not say 
how far he went into the river. He might descend 
a few steps into the water and be sprinkled." 
" I know it does not say how far he went into 
the river, but I read yesterday in the 6th chapter 
of Romans, about being buried with Christ by 
baptism ; and I suppose our blessed Saviour went 
into the river far enough to be buried in the 
water." " Well, you must remember, Joanna, 
that baptism is not a saving ordinance ; it is by 
no means essential to the salvation of the soul." 
" I know that, aunt, but I think it is important 
that we follow the example, and keep the com- 
mandments of Christ ; and he commands us to 
repent and be baptized. We must repent first, 
and then be baptized. I hope I have repented 
of my sins, and now I wish to obey the other 
part of this command and be baptized. In hav- 
ing me sprinkled when I was an infant, my pa- 
rents did what they thought was their duty, and 



36 MEMOIR OF 

now I wish to do what the Bible teaches me is 
my duty." 1 

Her earnest desires to make a profession of 
religion, instead of being encouraged, were rath- 
er discountenanced. Probably her aunt felt re- 
luctant to have her join the church, from fear that 
she would turn back again to sinful pleasures and 
wound the cause of Christ by her fall. She be- 
lieved her to be a christian, but was fearful that 
she was too young to lead a christian life. These 
inconsistent vi'^ws of the propriety of admitting 
converted children to the privileges of the 
church, have, to a great extent, been superced- 
ed by others, more enlightened and scriptural. 
Still, there is occasion to regret, that there are at 
the present day, many persons who, even when 
they get the most full and satisfactory evidence of 
a child's piety, instead of taking it to the fold of 
Christ as one of his tender lambs, to be nursed 
by the care of the church, require it to wait with- 
out, a year or two, exposed to beasts of prey, that 
they may see whether it will " hold out." 

1 Lest this conversation should be thought not to have been 
real, it ought to be stated, that it was communicated verbatim, 
to the writer by Mrs. Reddington, who being at that time a be- 
liever in sprinkling for baptism, would not be likely to repre- 
sent it more in her neice's favor than it actually was. 



.TOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 37 

The son of a gospel minister experienced re- 
ligion when he was quite young. After a few 
weeks he was impressed with the conviction, that 
it was his duty to be baptized, and requested 
his father to admit him to the sacred ordinance. 
Although his father, as well as the church, was 
well satisfied with his religious experience, and 
believed him to be a child of God, yet through 
fear that he would not persevere to the end of the 
christian course, he repeatedly refused his appli- 
cation. His son however continued, from time to 
time, to renew his request. " Why, my son," 
said the father one day, " if I knew that you 
would hold out to the end, and not fall away 
from your profession and dishonor the cause of 
religion, I should be willing to baptize you," 
The little boy immediately replied, " Dont you 
think, father, that God can as easily keep me 
from falling, as to keep you ?" The eyes of the 
father were immediately opened. He viewed 
the subject in a new light. He saw that it was 
only necessary to pursue the path of duty and 
leave consequences with God. He could no lon- 
ger forbid w 7 ater that his son should not be bap- 
tized. 

Since the establishment of Sabbath Schools, 

4* 



38 MEMOIR OF 

a much larger proportion of the converts in revi- 
vals have been youth and children than for- 
merly. And careful observation has furnished 
conclusive evidence, that there have been no 
more cases of apostasy among these, according 
to their number, than among adults. Rev. Wil- 
liam Jay says, " People talk of the young, and 
seem to require more satisfaction with regard 
to them than with regard to older candidates. 
But wherefore? Do persons grow more simple 
and open and undesigning as they advance in 
life ? Who are the members by whom churches 
have been troubled and disgraced ? Not those 
who joined themselves to the Lord young, and 
very young too, I never knew a minister who 
had to repent of encouraging such communi- 
cants." 

On the 13th of April, 1827, there was to be a 
church meeting for the examination of candi- 
dates for baptism. Joanna was desirous to be 
one of the number. This desire was rendered 
stronger by the circumstance that her uncle Red- 
dington, who had recently obtained a hope in 
Christ, was one of the candidates. In the mor- 
ning previous to the church meeting, the Pastor 
called at the house to see Mr. Reddington, but 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 39 

as he was absent, stopped only a few moments. 
By her particular request, Mrs. Reddington ask- 
ed him, if Joanna might attend the meeting for 
the purpose of offering herself to the church. 
He said she might, if her aunt was willing ; and 
as he was going farther and should return that 
way, he would call and take her in his chaise. 
But as he did not return as soon as he expected, 
she felt so anxious about the meeting, that she 
set out on foot and alone, to travel a mile and a 
half in a road where she had never been before. 

When nine candidates had been examined and 
received, Joanna was informed that if she wish- 
ed to communicate her feelings to the church, 
they would be glad to hear. She immediately 
arose, and without appearing at all intimidated 
by the presence of so many persons, who were 
nearly all strangers, she related in a very simple, 
clear and affecting manner, her religious experi- 
ence and views of christian duty. It was obvi- 
ous from her relation that she possessed a knowl- 
edge of the Bible quite uncommon for children 
of her age. Her account of her conversion was 
so natural, and her answers to various questions 
proposed were so intelligent and scriptural, that 
the church were well satisfied with the evidence 



40 MEMOIR OF 

of her piety ; and unanimously voted to receive 
her as a member of the church, after being bap- 
tized. She returned home with a light heart. 
She felt happy to think she might be permitted 
to follow the footsteps of her Saviour, and show 
her love to him before the world by keeping his 
commandments. 

On Sunday, April 15, she was baptized in com- 
pany with nine others, one of whom was her un- 
cle. This baptismal scene was witnessed with 
deep and solemn interest by a crowd of specta- 
tors who had assembled at the water side. All 
seemed to look with admiration upon this lovely 
example of early piety. It was delightful to see 
so young a child consecrating herself to God in 
this holy ordinance. 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 41 



CIIAPTE It I V. 

The Lord's Sapper. Attachment to the Church. Filial obe- 
dience. Patience. Love to the Sabbath School. Four 
resolutions, 

A few weeks subsequent to this period, Mr. 
Reddington removed into the village, but a short 
distance from the meeting house ; so that she 
was soon able to attend the Sabbath School very 
constantly, except when prevented by sickness 
in the family. After she united with the church, 
she esteemed it a great privilege to attend pub- 
lic worship. The preaching, praying and sing- 
ing were sources of much comfort, and she did 
not, like some children, go away from the house 
of God and soon forget all that she had heard. 
When she went home she retired, as soon as 
she could, by herself, to reflect on the sermon, 
read her Bible, and pray to her Heavenly Father 
to assist her by his holy Spirit to treasure up the 
truth in her heart, and bring forth the fruits of 
righteousness in her life. On Communion days 
in particular, she seemed to enjoy great delight 
in waiting on the Lord with his people. When 



42 MEMOIR OF 

she saw, in the ordinance of the Lord's supper, 
such an affecting memorial of the Saviour's love 
to sinners, her heart glowed with emotions of 
thankfulness, and her eyes often filled with tears, 
as she looked on the precious emblems of his 
bleeding body. The preparatory meetings, pre- 
ceding the communion, were also highly esteem- 
ed. She often expressed her surprise, that any 
ot the members should neglect a meeting so in- 
teresting and important to the church. She 
would often say, " I cannot imagine how any 
one can stay away from these meetings, unless 
compelled to do it by some unavoidable hin- 
drance." 

Young as she was, when the female members 
met together in their weekly meeting for religious 
conversation and prayer, she was delighted to be 
with them, and always, when requested, was 
ready to raise her voice in prayer She appeared 
to possess such a humble and fervent spirit when 
she prayed, that it was really pleasant to hear her. 
In speaking to her aunt of these prayer meet- 
ings, she used to say, Cl This is sitting together 
in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." 

The childish plays and amusements, that are 
commonly so agreeable to the young, had no 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 43 

longer any charms for her. She enjoyed a hap- 
piness which they could never impart. When 
the girls of her age in the village met to spend 
an afternoon together, she was frequently invited 
to join them, but seldom went. The reason that 
she assigned for staying at home was, that she 
could not waste a whole afternoon in frivolous 
plays or useless conversation. When she occa- 
sionally went, she endeavored to persuade her 
young friends to forsake their sinful ways and 
seek the salvation of their souls. But if she 
found it impossible to prevail on them to conclude 
their party without cards and other plays, she 
left the company and returned home. 

Her attachment to the church was peculiarly 
strong. Few persons of mature age manifest a 
livelier interest than she did in every thing that 
pertains to the peace and enlargement of the 
church. In its prosperity she delighted. In 
its trials and afflictions she wept and prayed. 

So sincerely did she also love the Pastor of 
the church, that when he was about to remove to 
another sphere of labor, the trial of parting with 
him was extremely painful. " IF it is God's 
will," said she, "I hope I shall feel reconciled 
to it, for if we can know and be submissive to 
his will, we shall be happy." 



44 MEMOIR OF 

She was remarkably conscientious in following 
the directions of God's holy word in all things, 
so far as she was able to perceive them. This 
was beautifully exemplified in her obedience to 
her uncle and aunt, whom she regarded as her 
father and mother. In the Bible she was taught t 
that it was the duty of children to obey their 
parents in the Lord, and to honor their father and 
mother. She was not guilty, in a single instance 
that can be recollected, of refusing to do any 
thing which her adopted parents required of her. 
She always obeyed with promptitude. Some 
children, when told by their parents to do any 
thing, always have some excuse, and wish to do 
something else first. But she no sooner received 
the command, than she was ready to obey it. 
Hers was also a willing, not a constrained, reluc- 
tant obedience. If bid to do what was not 
pleasant, she never muttered nor complained. 
It was a pleasure to her to obey in all things. 
Neither was she like those children who, in the 
presence of their parents, are pleasant and obe- 
dient, but, when out of their sight, hesitate not 
to disregard their authority. She knew that it 
was just as necessary to obey her parents when 
they did not see her, as when they did. She 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON- 45 

remembered that the all-seeing eye of God look- 
ed at her, as much when they were absent, as 
when they were at home. 

A little boy was once urged very hard by his 
playmates to take some fruit to which he had no 
right. But he refused, saying that his parents 
had forbidden him to touch it. " But" said 
they, " your parents are not here to see you." 
4 f Very true," he replied, " but God and my con- 
science are here." What an admirable answer ! 
Let every child who reads it remember it, and 
always be ready to resist temptation, in the same 
manner, and with the same noble spirit. 

Joanna was also remarkable for the kindness 
of her disposition. It led her to seek the happi- 
ness of all around her, both in the family and out of 
it. Never was a child more anxious to do every 
thing in her power for a sick mother, than she was 
to wait on her aunt in the time of sickness. 
Before she was ten years old, she would sit up 
all night by her bed to administer to her wants, 
and show, by her kind attentions, how grateful 
she was for their kindness to a poor orphan child. 
Her aunt was a woman of feeble constitution, 
and had frequent turns of illness. At such sea- 
sons the care of the younger children, and the 



46 MEMOIR OF 

domestic concerns devolved, almost entirely, on 
Joanna. At the age of eleven, she took her 
sick mother's babe, and with but little assistance 
took care of it, day and night, for several weeks 
together. By these means she had many hard- 
ships to endure, and many privations to bear. 
For many weeks in succession, she would be de- 
prived of attending Sabbath School, and public 
worship. While she was thus waiting upon her 
sick aunt and child, she saw other chiidren of 
her age making their social visits, attending the 
Sabbath School, and enjoying many other privi- 
leges of which she was deprived. But she did 
not complain. No, she knew that she was pur- 
suing the path of duty, and felt contented and 
happy. What is more interesting than to see an 
affectionate child, giving up her amusements, 
and denying herself of some of her rational 
pleasures, for the sake of alleviating the pains 
of an afflicted parent ? Such a child will be the 
joy of her mother's heart, and the admiration of 
all who know her. Every one who saw how 
obedient and kind Joanna was to her aunt and 
the little children, loved her, for being such a 
good girl. It was not necessary to exercise pa- 
rental authority over her for any other purpose, 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 47 

than to restrain her from doing more work, than 
her strength would bear. 

When there was to be any religious meeting, 
and it was necessary for one of them to remain 
at home, she would say to her aunt, " I will stay 
with the children. You have been sick, and con- 
sequently not able to attend so often as I have 
done, therefore I wish you to enjoy the privilege." 
Every person who has had any experience in 
the management of small children knows, that in 
having to exercise so much care over her little 
cousins, or brothers and sisters, as she usually 
called them, Joanna must have had many things 
to bear, which were peculiarly trying to her pa- 
tience. But every thing unpleasant or provok- 
ing in their dispositions or conduct she endured, 
without having the equanimity of her mind in any 
measure disturbed. This lovely trait of her char, 
acter was so conspicuous, that a pious lady, who 
was visiting in the family, remarked one day, re- 
specting her deportment, that " she manifested 
the most Christ-like disposition among children 
that she had ever witnessed." She not only bore, 
with the most exemplary patience, many things 
disagreeable from the children, but she spent 
many hours in trying to teach them the knowl- 



48 MEMOIR OF 

edge of the Bible. She would gather them 
around her, and read, or hear them read, a por- 
tion of some chapter, and then, in her artless 
manner, endeavor to explain and make them un- 
derstand it. No one who did not gee her thus 
employed, can imagine how happy she appeared 
to be, with such a group of young immortals lis- 
tening to the accents of truth and love which fell 
from her lips, while she enforced upon them the 
obligations they were under to love God and obey 
the gospel of his Son. She would describe to 
them the sinfulness of their hearts, that led them 
to say and do many things that were wrong, and 
displeasing to God, and urge them to repent 
of their sins, and pray to the Lord to give them 
a new heart. She would talk to them about the 
love of Christ to sinners, which induced him to 
die on the cross that he might open a way for 
them to be saved, and tell them that he now of- 
fered salvation to all that would accept of it, and 
that little children, as well as older persons, were 
invited to come to the Saviour, that they might 
be blessed, as those children were who came to 
him when he was on earth. 

At this period of her life, she had become deep- 
ly interested in the Sabbath School, and experi- 



JOANNA VV. REDDINGTON. 49 

enced a pleasure in its exercises which increas- 
ed from week to week, till she was confined to 
the chamber of sickness and death. So much 
did she love the Sabbath School, that her feel- 
ings were always painfully wounded if she heard 
any one speak lightly of it, or in opposition to its 
objects. " I am sorry," said she, " that any one, 
and above all, that parents should dislike such a 
good institution. And I am afraid that some of 
the children who attend do not realize how great 
a privilege they enjoy. How much gratitude we 
owe our Teachers, the Superintendent and the 
church ; but more, far more, do we owe to Him 
from whom cometh every good and perfect gift." 
She drew up for herself a number of rules relating 
to her duties as a Sabbath School Scholar, and 
to these she adhered as closely as possible. I 
will insert them in this book, with the hope that 
many who may read them, will see their proprie- 
ty and be led to adopt them as the rule of their 
practice while attending to their duties in the S. 
School. They certainly are worthy of imitation* 
" In the fear of the Lord, I now resolve, 
1. As soon as possible, after returning from 
public worship, to commence the study of my 

lesson for the next sabbath. 

5* 



J v 



SO ME MO JU or 

2. Never to neglect getting my lesson, be- 
cause I expect to be absent from the school when 
the other scholars are present to recite it. 

3. If possible, to have one or two lessons 
learned beforehand ; so that if sickness or other 
engagements should engross the time through the 
week, I may not be without a lesson for the Sab- 
bath when it comes. 

4. If not able, from any cause, to get a les- 
son, not to be absent myself from my class ; for 
though I have nothing to recite, I can gain use- 
ful knowledge by hearing others, and listening to 
the instructions of my Teacher." 

On returning from the Sabbath School one day 
she said to her aunt, " It seems to me hardly pos- 
sible, that all these good addresses and fervent 
prayers, which fall from the lips of our superin- 
tendent and teachers, can be lost. If they are, 
and if they should become a savor of death unto 
death to any, it will be because they refuse to 
hear. How I long to see my young companions 
in the Sabbath School brought to the knowledge 
of the truth. How it would enliven and invig- 
orate the feelings of christians, and kindle a flame 
of animation in our conference and prayer meet- 
ings. We should mount up on wings as eagles, 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON, 51 

we should run and not be weary, and walk and 
not faint." At another time, when the love of 
God had been the subject of conversation in the 
school, she observed, " I never before saw and 
felt, so clearly, that God is love. How is it pos- 
sible, that any one can think God is unkind, be- 
cause he admits some of the human race to dwell 
in his presence while others, on account of their 
wickedness, are excluded % How aggravating it 
would be to an impenitent sinner to dwell in the 
presence of an injured and holy God forever ! 
How could he unite in praising God and the 
Lamb for redeeming grace, when he had ungrate- 
fully slighted all the offers of redemption by the 
Cross of Christ?" In conversation one day, re- 
specting Rev. Mr. S. she said, " He appears to be 
very agreeable in his manners and conversation. 
I heard him say that he should preach against 
drunkenness, gambling, profane swearing, and 
sabbath breaking. But I hear nothing about 
repenting, confessing and forsaking all sins — 
nothing about self denial, obedience to Christ and 
holiness of life. As I view the subject, the sub- 
stance of universal salvation is this, ' Go to heav- 
en in your own way, and not in the self denying, 
cross bearing way which Christ pointed out,, and 



52 MEMOIR OF 

the apostles trod.' What must be the meeting 
that must take place at the bar of God, between 
ministers who have prophesied smooth things, and 
their hearers who have been deceived by them- 

From the moment that she learned how to 
estimate the value of her own soul, she became 
deeply interested in the spiritual welfare of all 
around her who possessed, like herself, this im- 
mortal treasure. Frequently, she would say, as 
she saw people inordinately attached to the world, 
"They appear to live as though they had no souls 
to be saved or lost. I should suppose they nev- 
er stop to inquire what is to be their portion and 
employment in eternity." In her daily life and 
conversation, she manifested how sensibly she 
felt that eternity, with all its solemn realities, 
was near at hand. When her little cousins did 
any thing wrong, and requested her not to inform 
their parents, she would say, " You should re- 
member that God sees you, and knows what you 
have done, and you ought to fear him more than 
you do your parents." In speaking of her rela- 
tion to the church, she said, " I do not meet with 
so much counsel and advice from the older mem- 
bers as I anticipated. I expected on account of 
my youth and inexperience, they would keep a 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 53 

continual watch over me, and reprove rne if they 
saw the least thing unbecoming in my life. I 
thought they would frequently inquire if I lived 
according to my profession, if I read my Bible, 
prayed in my closet, and lived near to God, so 
as to enjoy the light of his countenance. But if 
christians do not watch over me so closely as tjiey 
should, I am under the watchful care of Him who 
never slumbers nor sleeps." As it is proper and 
desirable that the lambs of Christ should be 
brought into his fold, so it is important that they 
should receive that attention and counsel which 
older christians are qualified by age and experi- 
ence, to give. Young christians ought, like Jo- 
anna, always to be willing to be advised and 
guided by those who are older and better ac- 
quainted with the devices of Satan. When any 
one inquired how she enjoyed her mind, she fre- 
quently replied, " I do not feel so much engaged 
in religion as I could wish, but if not deceived, 
I can say that I sincerely love God and delight 
to obey his commands, which are not grievous." 
Sometimes she complained of the hardness of 
her heart, and the proneness of her mind to be 
too much occupied with the things of earth. She 
frequently expressed her fears that she did not 



54 MEMOIR OP 

sufficiently fear the Lord, nor feel all that grat- 
itude which she owed him, for the mercy and 
grace which he had manifested to her soul. 
Though always sensible of her unworthiness, and 
dissatisfied with herself because she did not love 
the Saviour more, she never was heard to express 
a single doubt respecting her hope in Christ. 
Her prevailing desire was after holiness of heart 
and life. The following favorite verse she often 
repeated, with much earnestness. 

" O for a heart to praise my God, 

A heart from sin set free ; 
A heart that always feels thy blood, 

So freely spilt for me." 

From her infancy, she had been afflicted with 
a scrofulous humor, which, like an insidious 
worm, concealed at the root of some favorite 
plant, gradually undermined her constitution, and 
prostrated her health. For nearly a year previ- 
ous to her death, her health declined more obvi- 
ously. During the winter, she had frequent 
turns of raising blood, to an alarming degree. 
When some one observed, after one of these 
turns, that her case was critical and dangerous, 
she replied, " I know it is, and possibly I may be 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 55 

hurried from time to eternity in a moment, though 
I hope not so suddenly as that ; yet if that is the 
will of God, I hope I shall be resigned to it. I 
do not feel alarmed about myself, for the believ- 
er's life is hid with Christ in God ; and how can 
I be otherwise than safe, in the hands of such a 
friend? As the spring returned, with its sunny 
days, its balmy air, its hills and dales dressed in 
robes of living green, and its thousand birds war- 
bling the Creator's praise, it shed a reviving in- 
fluence over her system, and kindled the flush 
of returning health upon her faded cheek. She 
was no longer distressed with the violent cough, 
from which she had suffered so much during the 
winter, and her bleeding at the lungs had entire- 
ly ceased. For a few weeks she was able to at- 
tend public worship, a privilege which she enjoy- 
ed with a heart overflowing with love and gratitude 
to her Heavenly Father for his preserving good- 
ness. At this period, two of the members of the 
church called to see her, and remarked in her 
hearing, that they had not known that she^was 
sick till recently. After they had left, she said 
to her aunt, " It seems to me that they would 
have known it, if they had inquired the reason 
why, for so long a time, I have been absent from 



56 MEMOIR OF 

meeting. We are commanded not to forsake 
the assembling of ourselves together ; and when 
a member of the church is absent from her place 
in the house of God for weeks and months, she 
ought to be inquired after, by others. The 
christian has a great work before him. He 
must watch over his tongue, his thoughts, words 
and actions, and keep himself unspotted from the 
world. If we are faithful to our duty, how much 
we can do to help each other in the christian 
journey by reproving and exhorting one another. 
We have much to do and but little time to do it 
in ; therefore, we ought to be diligent, and work 
while the day lasteth." 

Occasionally, her morning walks were exten- 
ded some distance along the shaded banks of the 
Middlesex Canal, which passed her uncle's house. 
On the one hand arose a hill covered with the 
verdure of spring, on the top of which was situa- 
ted the village Academy, and a few newly erec- 
ted dwellings. On the other, she looked down 
upon a beautiful lake, which lay embosomed a- 
mong the surrounding hills and woodlands. On 
every object the dew-drops glittered, like so many 
crystals, as the sun shed on the whole scene a 
living brightness. She felt that it was indeed 



JOANNA W. REDD1NGTON. 57 

delightful, as she walked along its margin, lis- 
tening to the wild bird's song, 

_" to gaze upon the lake 

When the clear sun shone on its bosom bright, 
And seemed with his embraces to awake 
To her rapt view a flood of living light." 

Her health was so much improved, that for sev- 
eral weeks her friends were encouraged to hope 
that she would be well again. But these pleas- 
ing expectations were soon disappointed. As 
the heat of summer came on she faded before it, 
like the delicate flower when its roots are loos- 
ened from the earth that nourishes it. When 
she again became so feeble that she could seldom 
attend meeting, the Bible was her constant com- 
panion ; and she remarked, that it was now more 
precious than it ever had been before. The last 
time she attended public worship, she was favor- 
ed with a ride in the carriage of Deacon J. 
Cummings, a favor of which she spoke with 
thankful remembrance, only a few days before 
her death. 

Early in September, Mr. Reddington removed 
his family to Hopkinton, N. H. a distance of 
about fifty miles. Joanna was so feeble, that 
6 






58 MEMOIR OF 

when ihey started, they were fearful that the 
journey would be too much for her to bear ; but 
contrary to their expectations, she endured the 
fatigue of travelling so well, that when they ar- 
rived at Hopkinton she appeared better than 
when she left Woburn. Soon after the family 
were settled again, one of her uncles, to whom 
she was particularly attached, invited her to 
accompany him to Wendell, Mass. and spend 
a few weeks or months there, as she would 
there have better conveniences for riding in the 
open air, if that should be found beneficial to 
her health. She accepted the invitation, but her 
health failed so fast, that she was obliged to re- 
turn in three weeks. Short as her visit had 
been, it was sufficiently long to display the ardor 
of her piety, and the loveliness of her christian 
character. One of her friends, who was with 
her much of the time during her visit in Wen- 
dell, remarked after she had left them, " That 
dear child is ripe for the kingdom of heaven, and 
will soon be in possession of that inheritance 
which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth 
not away." On her return to Hopkinton, she 
told her aunt that she had given up all hope of 
recovery, and wished to remain at home till she 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 59 

should be called to a better one in heaven. She 
often spoke of the pleasure she had enjoyed in 
the religious conversation of her grandmother 
Reddington, while staying in her family at Wen- 
dell. She appeared to be completely weaned 
from the world. Rev. Mr. Carlton, while visiting 
in the family, among many other things, told her 
that she must not think hard of God for depriving 
her of her health. She must think of the mer- 
cies he had shown her, and above all of the love 
he had manifested to her soul. She replied, " O 
no sir, I do not. God has been too kind, too good 
to me to allow me to entertain one hard thought 
of him. " Well," said he, " which do you most 
desire, to get well and live longer, or to die now?" 
Her answer was " Just as my Lord and Master 
sees fit." Deacon F. an aged gentleman, who 
frequently visited her, asked her one day after he 
had conversed and prayed with her, what object 
was most dear to her. She immediately answer- 
ed with emphasis, — " O my blessed Saviour. He 
is the chief among ten thousand, the one altogeth- 
er lovely." In the neighborhood there was a girl 
nearly her own age, and suffering with the same 
complaint. On being informed that this young 
friend was supposed to be dying, she said, " Well 



60 MEMOIR OF 

aunt, what is there in this world worth living for ? 
Who would wish to live here always? Who 
would not wish to die and be with Jesus. I have 
lived long enough to know that there are no las- 
ting joys or earthly ground. We are all passing 
from the shores of time to a boundless eternity. 
It appears to me, that death is a blessing to the 
christian, for it is the gate to endless joys. Al- 
though I am about to walk through the valley of 
the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for my 
Redeemer will be with me." 

At another time, while reflecting upon the 
past she said, " O how kind and merciful God 
has ever been to me a poor, unworthy sinner. 
Where he has taken away one friend, he has 
raised me up another. When I have been afflic- 
ted on one hand, on the other, I have been 
loaded with his mercies. Even in this sickness, 
how light are my pains compared with what many 
suffer with the same disease 1 How much I am 
yet to endure I know not, but I am satisfied that 
the Lord will lay no more upon me, than he will 
give me strength to bear." On another day > 
while conversing about her former privileges in 
Woburn, she said, " How I long once more to see 
my dear Mr. Mallery. O that I could spend one 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 61 

hour with him in sweet conversation about heav- 
enly things. There are many others who are 
dear to me, but he is peculiarly so. But it will 
be only a short time before we shall meet to part 
no more. There is the dear church too, in Wo- 
burn, that I shall meet no more on earth, but 
glory to God in the highest, we shall meet in 
Christ's kingdom above." Observing that her 
aunt was weeping, she said, " Do not weep for 
me ; for if we are separated now, we shall soon 
meet again where parting will be unknown. If 
there were no sin in this world, we might dread 
to leave it ; but who, that hates sin, will be re- 
luctant to leave a world where ' no one liveth 
and sinneth not.' If I desire any thing, it is to 
go where sin will never come." 

One day as she lay musing upon the goodness 
of God in supplying all her wants, she said, 
<( How can we be sufficiently thankful for the 
friends God has raised up for our family, in this 
place, since we came into it. At first, we were 
far away from former acquaintances, and all a- 
round us were strangers ; but now we find friends 
that are kind and obliging, and what is still bet- 
ter, many who can speak of the goodness of God 
and the love of Christ. I feel as though I could 
6* 



62 MEMOIR OF 

not be sufficiently thankful for the kindness I re- 
ceive from the family of Mrs. M. How kind 
and good Mary is to me. I hope she will be re- 
warded by her Heavenly Father. How good 
Lucy is to me. I wish to give her something as 
a testimony of my gratitude, and to remind her 
of me, as we are of the same age, when I am dead 
and gone. I will do it when she comes in again. 
Dear Lucy, though amiable and kind, I fear is 
yet destitute of the one thing needful. O that 
she would renounce the vanities of the world and 
choose that good part which Mary chose. How 
would it rejoice the heart of Mrs. W, her pious 
and praying mother, to see her become a humble 
follower of Christ ; and not only her mother, but 
her minister and all her christian friends. Saints 
on earth and the angels in heaven would rejoice 
over her conversion to God." 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 63 



CHAPTER VI. 

Messages of love to relatives and friends. The parting 
scene. Faith triumphant over death. The close of life. 

Speaking of her relatives and friends in Bev- 
erly she observed " I have many cousins there, 
and I do not know that one of them has ever 
been brought to the knowledge of the truth as 
it is in Jesus. I am afraid they are still pursu- 
ing the lying vanities of the world. They are 
young, though some of them are older than I am. 
My heart is pained when I think of their condi- 
tion, if they are yet walking in the broad road 
that leadeth to destruction. Do tell cousin J. P. 
when you see him, that we have spent many an 
hour together in play ; we have lived under the 
same roof, sat at the same table, studied in the 
same school, and stood in the same class. It is 
but a short time since we were personally sepa- 
rated, but now, I fear an eternal separation is 
about to take place. Tell him how painful it is 
to think of parting with dear friends on earth, 
when we have no hope of meeting them again 



64 MEMOIR OF 

in heaven. Tell him and all my other cousins, 
that my last desire for them is, that they may re- 
member their Creator in the days of their youth; 
that they may seek Jesus for their friend, who 
alone can save them from everlasting misery, and 
raise them to eternal happiness. Tell all my rel- 
atives, that Jesus is my friend and portion on a 
sick and dying bed. In him I find all that I 
need. All my wants are richly supplied. It is 
by his grace that I am so happy, and that the 
prospect of death is not terrifying. Through his 
merits, I hope to find a welcome place in the 
mansions he has gone to prepare for those who 
love him. Tell my christian friends to be watch- 
ful and prayerful, to remember that they are lights 
in the world, and must let their light shine before 
men. They will soon have to follow me to the 
world of spirits, and give an account of their 
stewardship. Tell my unconverted friends, that 
1 feel anxious for the salvation of their precious, 
immortal souls, which are of more value than 
thousands of worlds. Tell them, that they have 
reason to tremble in view of their situation, when 
they think how many years they have lived with- 
out spending one hour in prayer to God for the 
salvation of their souls, and how ungratefully 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 65 

they have spent the breath he gave them in re- 
belling against him." For many days, the inter- 
ests of the soul, the solemnities of the judgment, 
the preciousness of Christ and the glories of heav- 
en, were the all-absorbing theme of her conver- 
sation. Happy herself in the embraces of a Sa- 
viour's love, she desired that all around her might 
be encircled in the same arms of heavenly mer- 
cy. To all who came to see her, she had some- 
thing to say concerning their prospects in anoth- 
er world. When she was asked how death ap- 
peared to her, she replied, " Not terrifying. I 
can trust myself in the hands of Jesus, and re- 
joice with joy unspeakable that I have such a 
friend, one who does not, in this time of need, 
forsake me." " How does your past life look V 
" Sinful enough indeed, but the blood of Christ 
cleanseth from all sin, and his righteousness is 
sufficient to clothe my naked soul, and conceal 
all my imperfections and sin. Having on that 
robe, I need not fear to meet my Judge." She 
was always equally ready to answer every ques- 
tion proposed to her by her friends. So long as 
her strength admitted, she enjoyed much satisfac- 
tion in conversing with those who called to see her. 
October 31, 1829. About 12 o'clock at night, 



66 MEMOIR OF 

after conversing more than an hour, with more 
ease than she had done for days, perhaps weeks, 
she settled down into a quiet state, and remain- 
ed perfectly motionless and still. The lady who 
was watching by her bedside, observing this, be- 
came somewhat alarmed with the apprehension 
that death might be near, and called her aunt, 
who, at the request of Joanna, had slept in the 
same room ever since she had been confined to 
her bed. She hastened to her, and to all appear- 
ance the hour of her dissolution had come. Her 
uncle was immediately called, and the children 
and some others in the house also, soon entered 
the room. After a few moments of painful sus- 
pense, she opened her eyes and, as though she 
had been communing with the inhabitants of the 
heavenly world, whose society she expected in a 
few hours to join, she proceeded to take leave of 
her weeping friends, who stood around her bed. 
Reaching out her trembling arms toward her 
aunt, she threw them around her neck, and with 
a smile of calm resignation depicted on her coun- 
tenance, kissed her and bid her farewell. In the 
same manner she embraced her uncle, and then 
addressed them separately, in a most solemn and 
affectionate manner. Losing sight of every thing 



JOANNA W. ItEDDINGTON. 67 

else, she seemed to think of nothing, and to de- 
sire nothing, but the welfare of their undying 
souls. She exhorted them to live near to God, 
— to watch against sin and abound in prayer, — : 
to aspire after high attainments in holiness, and 
to bring up their children in the nurture and ad- 
monition of the Lord. Then turning to her two 
eldest cousins, she entreated them to remember 
their Creator in the days of their youth, — to seek 
the Saviour while young, and to be good chil- 
dren. Pointing to the Bible which lay in sight, 
she added, " Take that for your guide. It has 
been a blessed book to me. It led me to the 
Saviour and made me wise unto salvation. Oh, 
what would have become of me had it not been 
for the Bible ? Let me entreat you with my dy- 
ing breath, to study that holy book and treasure 
up the truth in your heart, and let it regulate your 
life. I hope you will always be obedient to your 
parents, and especially that you will be kind to 
your mother, who is so often sick and always fee- 
ble. Oh, my dear cousins, how can I leave you 
without a promise that you will seek the Lord. 
We have been to the Sabbath School together, 
to be instructed by our teachers. We have been 
to the house of God in company, to listen to the 



68 MEMOIR OF 

instructions of our Pastor ; but now I must part 
with you. I can no more go to meeting nor to 
the Sabbath School with you. I can never again 
kneel down in the silent chamber to pray with 
you. Say, will you meet me in heaven ? Shall 
I see you there at the right hand of God, where 
there are pleasures forevermore. Shall we live 
together again in that happy, that glorious world 
above. Yes, I will hope that I shall meet you 
there." Turning to her aunt, she continued. " I 
am afraid they will forget what I have said. I 
hope you will often remind them of it,, and im- 
press this subject upon their minds. Endeavor,, 
by your counsels and prayers, to lead them to the* 
Saviour, that in him they may find eternal life.. 
Teach them that without holiness they can never 
enter the pearly gates of the New Jerusalem.' 5 " 
Having said this and much more, which is not 
now recollected, to the family, she addressed the 
neighbors who were present. " My dear friends^ 
I thank you kindly for the unremitted and un- 
wearied attention you have shown me in my sick- 
ness. May the best of heaven's blessings come 
upon you." Observing that they wept, she con- 
tinued, " Oh my friends, if you are christians do 
not weep, but rejoice ; since it will be better for 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. t)9 

me to depart and be with Christ. I should be 
happy to live with you longer on earth, but I shall 
be infinitely more happy to meet my dear Saviour 
in heaven. You who are not christians may 
weep. I want you to weep, and to pray earnest- 
ly, and turn to the Lord with a repenting, weep- 
ing heart. J had to weep, and mourn, and pray 
till Christ appeared and told me by the teachings 
of his spirit, that 

4 His blood could cleanse the foulest stain, 
And make the filthy leper clean.' 

Go, like weeping Mary, and fall at the feet of 
Jesus, repent and be forgiven." All who were 
in the room appeared to be much affected at the 
deep interest she seemed to feel in their spiritual 
welfare. Hard indeed must be the heart, that 
would not be affected by such an interesting ex- 
hibition of the power of religion in overcoming 
the fear of death, and making the soul happy in 
such circumstances. 

After a momentary pause, she named one by 
one, several of her absent friends and left a mes- 
sage, with her dying love, for each of them. She 
then gave directions how to have whatever world- 
ly objects she possessed, distributed as presents 



70 MEMOIR OP 

among her friends. When she had done this, 
she began to converse about her christian breth- 
ren and sisters in Woburn, for whom her affec- 
tion remained unabated to the close of her life. 
" That dear church in Woburn" said she, "I 
shall see no more in the flesh. Give my dying 

love to" . Here she called 

many of the members by name, and then added, 
" but they are all dear to me. I love them all 
more than language can describe. When you 
see them, tell them how precious the Saviour is 
to me, in this hour of my separation from all 
things earthly. Tell them from me, as my last 
exhortation, to watch and pray and glorify God 
in their whole lives. Tell them to be united, 
heart and hand, — to put on the whole armour of 
God and stand fast in the liberty of the gospel. 
Tell them to live, so that the world will look on 
and say, ' Behold how they love one another.' 
Tell them to live daily and hourly under the in- 
fluence of that religion, that can make them 
happy in a dying hour. T say, which can make 
them happy, because I knpw it can, by what I 
now experience in my own soul. Oh, if they 
•can feel what I do, they will not be unwilling nor 
afraid to die. If they enjoy the presence of Je- 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 71 

sus, they will be sure to overcome. Tell them 
never to neglect the lambs of Jesus, but nurse 
them, watch over them, and lead them in the 
footsteps of the flock. Tell them, I leave them 
only to join the fold above." In this manner she 
continued talking three or four hours, to the as- 
tonishment of all in the house. As the morning 
dawned, and the light of day broke into her 
room, she said, " Is it possible that I am still in 
this world ? I thought last night, that the hour 
of my deliverance had come, — that I was before 
another day to be released from this distressed 
frame, and bid welcome to a mansion at God's 
right hand.' 7 

During the day, (Sunday, Nov. 1,) she seem- 
ed to be absorbed in her own thoughts, and took 
but very little notice of any thing that was said 
or done in the room, except merely to answer 
questions when any were asked. She appeared 
to be considerably exhausted, aud for the purpose 
of letting her rest, very little was said to her. In 
the evening she was much more comfortable, and 
felt inclined to converse on religious subjects, 
but no other. Rev. Mr. Caverno called with 
another minister, to see her. After observing 
for some time the distressed state of her body, he 



72 MEMOIR OF 

remarked to those in the room, " She is in great 
pain." She instantly replied, " Oh sir, what is 
my pain, compared with what my blessed Jesus 
endured when he suffered for us on the cross ? 
Think not of my pain, which is light and will 
soon be over, but think of the Saviour's on the 
cross, dying for poor, guilty sinners." Mr. C. 
asked her many questions, which she answered 
with the utmost readiness and propriety. One 
of them was, " If you could be restored to health 
and be put in possession of every earthly enjoy- 
ment, would you be willing to give up your hope 
in Christ?" She replied, "No sir, Oh no, not 
for worlds would I give up my hope ?" 

On Monday Rev. Mr Carlton called to see 
her and pray with her. She was so much ex- 
hausted with severe and constant pain and suf- 
fering, that she could converse but very little. 
The state of her mind however continued to be 
as tranquil and happy as it had been. Some 
person remarked to another in her hearing, "She 
lives in great distress." She answered, "Well, 
it is all for the best that I should ; for all my pain 
and distress will only make heaven sweeter and 
the Saviour more glorious." At another time, a 
lady, who had been watching some moments with 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 73 

a sympathizing heart the anguish of her body, 
exclaimed, "Poor child ! how much she suffers." 
Noticing the expression, she answered, " I am 
not a poor child. I am rick in faith, and an heir 
of the Kingdom." Another person observed in 
her hearing, "It is hard work to die." "Yes," 
said she, "it is hard for these poor weak bodies, 
but Christ tasted death for me and made the way 
easier for his saints ; so that I have only to pass 
through its shadow " 

The day previous to her death, she was asked 
if she had felt from the commencement of her 
illness, such resignation to the will of God. Her 
reply was," When my health first began to decline, 
I had many fears that I should never recover, and 
felt afraid to die and meet that God I had so im- 
perfectly served. But when I had been sick 
some time, I became more reconciled to the will 
of God, and felt as though he had forgiven all 
my neglect of duty, for Christ's sake. Since I 
have given up all hope of getting well again, I 
have not a single doubt concerning my hope in 
Christ. He has been constantly with me, and so 
near is he, that no evil can harm me. I am en- 
circled in the arms of his love and mercy. I arn 
only waiting for his call and I shall go. to my ev- 



/4 MEMOIR OF 

erlasting home. O how sweet the thought of 
being freed from sin, — of being with Jesus and 
of being forever at home." 

Expressions like these continued to drop from 
her lips now and then till her voice was lost in 
death. 

On Wednesday, she appeared to fail very fast. 
Her feeble frame was rapidly sinking under an 
accumulation of disease and suffering. No one 
who had witnessed the severity of her protracted 
illness, and the abundant evidence she had ex- 
hibited of being prepared for heaven, could, for 
a moment, wish to see her life prolonged under 
such circumstances. About nine o' clock in the- 
evening, as her aunt stood by her side, Joanna 
took her hand, looked upon her with a smile and 
faintly articulated, " Farewell." She then took 
her uncle by the hand, and repeated her dying 
" Farewell," adding, u I gave you my parting ad- 
vice when I was able to talk. Dear uncle and 
aunt, I am now going to my blessed Saviour. 
A few more pangs and all will be over, — all will 
be well. A few more months or years, and you 
will follow me." 

Her breathing became more and more faint, 
and in a few hours longer her immortal spirit was 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 75 

kindly and gently released from its prison of 
clay. She died about four o'clock on Thurs- 
day morning, November 5, 1829, aged a few- 
months over twelve years. 

" Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord 
from henceforth ; yea saith the spirit, that they 
may rest from their labors ; and their works do 
follow them." 



CHAPTER VII. 

Counsels to the young. Farewell letter to the Sabbath School 
in Woburn. Testimony of Mrs. E. Pleasures of piety. 

Now let me inquire of my young readers, if, 
while they have been reading the narrative of the 
peaceful and happy death of Joanna, they have 
not wished in their hearts as Baal am did ; when 
he said, " Let me die the death of the righteous, 



7(5 MEMOIR OF 

and let ray last end be like his," Have you not 
thought that it would be worth more than any 
thing else in the world, on a dying bed, to have 
such hope in Christ, such peace of mind, such 
glorious prospects beyond the grave, and such a 
sweet foretaste of heaven ? Well, if you wish to 
die as happy as she did, you must endeavor to 
live, as she did. Like her you must repent of your 
sins, and with a broken heart and contrite spirit 
you must confess your sins to God, and implore 
bis pardoning mercy. You must be willing to 
forsake all sinful pleasures and pursuits, and give 
your heart to God. You must love the Saviour, 
and trust in him for salvation. You must man- 
ifest your love by obedience to his command- 
ments. He says, " I love them that love me ; 
and'those that seek me early shall find me." If 
the ways of wisdom are pleasant to you, if Jesus 
is precious, if secret prayer is a privilege, if the 
word of God is sweet to your taste, if you hate 
sin and love holiness, if christians are the compa- 
ny you choose ; then you have reason to believe 
that you are a child of God, and that when you 
die you will go to dwell with him in heaven. But 
if you live a wicked life and refuse to serve God, 
then you will have no peace in death, no friend 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 77 

at the judgment seat, and no place nor portion 
in that bright and happy world which will be the 
everlasting habitation of the righteous. I fear 
some of you will think, that there will be time 
enough to attend to the subject of religion when 
you have become older, and therefore will put off 
repentance to a more convenient opportunity. 
But such a course will not only be wicked, but 
hazardous. Such a delay may be the ruin of 
your soul, as it has already^ been to thousands, 
who are now beyond the reach of hope. You 
are not certain that your life will be spared. 

Joanna died very young. So it is possible 
you may. " Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for 
thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." 
What would have been her condition, if she had 
neglected to seek the Lord while young ? Would 
she have been so happy through all her sickness 
and suffering ? Would she have been so calm, so 
resigned to the will of God, so cheerful and ani- 
mated with hope, as nearer and more near the 
messenger of death approached ? And what, my 
young friends, do you suppose will be your feel- 
ings, when sickness falls upon you and death 
draws near, if you go on in your sinful ways, and 
do not seek the Lord in the days of your youth. 



78 memoir or 

The present is the most favorable opportunity 
you will ever have, to acquaint yourself with God 
and be at peace. Do not neglect it. Improve 
it without delay or it will soon be gone, and you 
will have to take up the doleful lamentation, 
" The harvest is past, the summer is ended, 
and we are not saved." Remember then, that 
if you wish to die well, you must endeavor, like 
her of whom you have been reading, to live well. 
You must try to live well every day and to please 
God in all that you do. 

I wish now to lay before my youthful readers, 
the following affecting letter. A short time be- 
fore Joanna died, she wished to send a letter to 
her young friends in the Sabbath School at Wo- 
burn. But she was so feeble that she could not 
sit up nor hold a pen to write. She therefore re- 
quested her aunt to sit down by her bed, and 
write out her thoughts on paper as she would ex- 
press them to her, that she might have them sent 
as the last token ot her affectionate regard to her 
former associates. They show very clearly, how 
deep an interest she felt in their spiritual welfare, 
and how desirous she was to have them all be- 
come christians, and be as happy as she was in 
this life ; and then join her in the blissful em- 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 79 

ployments of the life to come. Though it was 
addressed particularly to Sabbath School children 
in Woburn, I hope all the youth and children of 
every Sabbath School, who read it will consider 
it applicable to themselves, and receive its affec- 
tionate counsels and persuasive entreaties, as 
they would, if it had been addressed to their 
own school. 

My dear young friends, 

Having been associated with you in the 
pursuits of the Sabbath School, and expecting 
to meet with you no more, I am urged by a sense 
of duty to address you by writing. But what 
shall I choose for a subject ? What will be most 
agreeable to my youthful companions, and what 
to my own mind I Not the pleasures nor the 
fashions of the world, but the religion of the bles- 
sed Jesus, shall be my theme. Is not this the 
most important and essential to the happiness of 
intelligent, accountable, immortal souls ? Is not 
this the most permanent and valuable good ? Is 
there any thing to be compared to it ? Can any 
thing else satisfy the soul and make it happy ? 
Will you believe your unworthy friend, who has 
but a few more days or hours to live, when she 



80 MEMOIR OF 

assures you, that religion is the only thing that 
can give you lasting pleasure? If I could have 
ten thousand worlds, and with them ten thousand 
lives, I would not give up my hope for them all. 
The things of this vain world, when compared 
with those which are eternal, appear like insig- 
nificant toys. Earthly enjoyments are fading. 
Friends, liches, honor, health, and every other 
enjoyment, can be taken from us ; but religion 
is what the world cannot bestow, the unfailing 
portion which it cannot take away. O my dear 
' friends, may you be so unspeakably happy as to 
inherit this richest of all blessings. This in the 
time of need will not forsake us. It is not like 
the fleeting things of this world, which glitter like 
an empty bubble and then forever vanish. It will 
cheer us in adversity, keep us humble in prosper- 
ity, smooth the stormy passage of life and be our 
passport to endless felicity. Will it not be folly 
and presumption, my young friends, to neglect 
seeking for that, which alone can save us from 
endless destruction ? 

Oh my friends, do not remain unmindful of 
its worth till you open your eyes on the light of 
eternity, and learn its value, when it will be for- 
ever too late to obtain it. Be entreated to make 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 81 

this pearl of great price your own. May you be 
anxious to obtain an interest in the Saviour be- 
fore you are called into the eternal world. Have 
you ever thought seriously on these things ? Have 
you reflected upon the solemn period, when you 
must bid a long adieu to every thing on earth 
and try the realities of eternity ? Nothing but an 
interest in Jesus will deliver us from the wrath 
of God, and save us from that sentence of con- 
demnation, which, when once pronounced, can 
never, will never be recalled. Life is most un- 
certain. Oh the dangerous situation of such as 
are living without God and without hope in the 
world. Their feet stand on slippery places and 
beneath them rolls a flaming sea of quenchless 
fire. Oh my friends, in view of death, judgment 
and eternity, be entreated to make your peace 
with God. Give no repose to your conscience, 
till you feel an evidence that Jesus is your friend 
and portion. To whom shall we fly for refuge 
if not to him? He only is able to save. Yes, he 
is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto 
God by him. But if in our hearts we despise 
him and say we will not have him to reign over 
us, where shall we hide when he arises to take 
vengeance upon his foes ? Where shall we flee 
8 



82 MEMOIR OF 

if found among his enemies, when the lofty hills 
are dissolving like wax and the earth is wrapped 
in flames ? 

O my friends, be entreated by one who loves 
your immortal souls, one who has experienced 
the love of God and seen the vanities of earthly 
pleasures, to forsake the way of sin and walk in 
the narrow w T ay of wisdom, which leads to life. 
The ways of wisdom are pleasant and all her 
paths are peace. 

My dear young friends, I can look forward 
with pleasing anticipations to that hour, when 
these eyes shall be closed in death and this stam- 
mering tongue be silent in the grave. I shall 
then be freed from sin, sorrow and sickness, and 
made perfectly blessed through the merits of my 
Saviour. Do be advised, by your dying friend, 
to consider upon these things before it is too late. 
Though you may think them distant they are 
drawing nigh. Oh do be exhorted to attend im- 
mediately to the concerns of your precious souls. 
Put not off repentance. Delays are dangerous. 
Seek the Lord now. You cannot begin too 
young. With my dying breath I will pray for the 
salvation of your souls. May the best of Heav- 
en's blessings rest on that dear Sabbath School, 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 83 

with which I am never to meet again. May the 
Lord delight to water it with the dews of divine 
grace, and make it a fruitful vineyard full of the 
trees of righteousness. That I may be so un- 
speakably happy, as to meet you in Christ's 
Kingdom above, is the desire of your affectionate 
friend, 

Joanna Woodberry Reddington. 

It is proper also, to add the following testimo- 
ny of a young lady, who was with this pious and 
patient child, in some of the last scenes of her 
sufferings on earth. 

The following is an extract from her diary. 

" On Saturday evening, Oct. 31, I was called 
to watch with a sick child, about twelve years of 
age. She made a profession of religion when 
she was about nine years old. I had visited her 
several times previous to this evening and found 
her a patient, reconciled sufferer, willing to live 
or die, as the Lord saw fit. After the family 
retired to rest, she began to converse and desired 
me to hear some part of her religious experience, 
which she related as follows. ' After my mother's 
death, I reflected much upon the concerns of 



84 



MEMOIR OF 



another world. I thought religion was a good 
thing and I intended to obtain it at some future 
time. I supposed I was then too young to be- 
come a christian, and therefore thought I would 
wait till I was older. Sometimes, I would be 
very serious, and then again my mind would be- 
come light and trifling and fond of play. About 
five months after the death of my mother, as I 
was going out one day to engage in play, these 
words came into my mind, as if they had been 
pronounced with an audible voice, " Behold now 
is the accepted time, behold now is the day of 
salvation." I thought it was high time for me 
to seek the Lord, for I had no promise of my 
life for a single day. I knew I needed re- 
ligion, and that it was my duty to seek for it 
without delay. In reflecting upon my past life, 
I thought I had been the greatest sinner on earth. 
All my life had been spent in sinning against a ho- 
ly and righteous God. The more I reflected, the 
more I saw of the wickedness of my heart. My 
mind was heavily burdened with a sense of my 
guilt in the sight of God. After I had felt thus 
for many days, I was made sensible, that none 
but Christ could forgive sin. Before this, I had 
been afraid that my sins were so great, that I 
never should be forgiven. When I had a view 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 85 

of the Saviour suffering on the cross for sinners, 
and heard him saying, " Come unto me all ye 
that labor and are heavy laden and I will give 
you rest," I felt as though there was encourage- 
ment to trust in him for redemption. I resolved, 
that I would go to him and fall down at his feet, 
confessing my sins, and pray earnestly for salva- 
tion. But how to go I did not clearly know. I 
thought the Bible would show me the path of life. 
Accordingly, I began to search the scriptures 
and found them exactly what I needed. The 
more I read them, the more light broke in upon 
my mind. I endeavored to give myself up to the 
Lord, and when I let go of every thing else, and 
trusted in Christ alone for salvation, my burden 
of distress left me. By reading my Bible, praying 
and conversing with christians, my mind was 
filled with peace, such as I never before experi- 
enced. One evening, in a meeting, every doubt 
and fear were removed, and I obtained an evi- 
dence that all my sins were pardoned, and that 
the blessed Jesus was now my friend. When I 
went home I was too happy to sleep. In the 
morning, when I arose, every object which I 
beheld seemed to be praising God. The works 
of creation never appeared so beautiful before. 
8* 



86 MEMOIR OF 

Every tree and plant, every beast, bird ana insect, 
seemed in some way, to be speaking forth the 
praises of the Most High. From that time to 
this, I have enjoyed a hope, which has been as 
an anchor to the soul sure and steadfast. And 
now, I find religion to be worth more to me than 
all the riches of the earth.' After this relation, 
she spoke of various friends whom she expected 
never to see again ; but instead of murmuring at 
the dispensation of Providence, that had separa- 
ted her from them, she expressed her gratitude 
to the Father of mercies, for the friends who were 
now around her, to take care of her in sickness. 
She expressed her strong attachment to the mem- 
bers of the church to which she belonged, and 
the pleasure she felt in the hope of meeting them 
beyond the grave. After remaining sometime 
speechless, and apparently dying, she took first 
her aunt, and then her uncle by the hand, and 
addressed them in a very affectionate manner. 

She also spake to her cousins, and then to 
others in the room. For several hours, she con- 
versed upon those ( things which are eternal/ in 
such a strain of holy fervor of soul, as surprised 
all who were present. Although I have been 
many years a professor of religion, I feared, that 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 87 

were I called to take her place on a dying bed, 
I should not exhibit so much of the spirit and 
image of Christ, as she did. It seemed to me, 
that such a scene as this, was enough to convince 
the strongest infidel, that there is a divine reality 
in religion. I could not but exclaim, thanks be 
to God for that faith, by which the believer can 
look beyond the grave and view the mansions of 
glory,— that faith which triumphs over death, 
and when heart and flesh are failing, enables the 
christian to rejoice in prospect of his dissolution, 
because he will exchange the sorrows, privations 
and sins of earth, for the joys and glory of heav- 
en. I have witnessed the death of many chris- 
tians before, but none that equalled this. She 
met the approach of death as a welcome messenger 
from a kind and heavenly friend. 

B— - E ." 

Now my young friends, having read what I 
have written respecting Joanna, do you think 
if you should be called to die this year, or 
this month, that you would be as happy as she 
was ? Do you think you would go to heaven 
and join her happy spirit in praising God and 
the Lamb ? You all desire happiness, but are 



88 MEMOIR OF 

not many of you pursuing it in a wrong course 1 
Are you not looking for it in some object where 
it will never be found ? Some persons seek for 
it in the treasures of earth. They think that 
thousands of gold and silver will make them con- 
tented and happy. They rise early and sit up 
late, and by much labor and care they accumu- 
late much wealth. But does it make them hap- 
py, to have their bags or chests full of money ? 
Will that prepare them to die happy and meet 
God in peace? No, for the Bible informs us, 
that riches profit not in the day of wrath, but 
righteousness delivereth from death. You must 
lay up a treasure in heaven. You must obtain 
the riches of divine grace and abound in good 
works. Some seek for it in the honors of the 
world. But do they find it there ? It is the 
honor that cometh from God, that will make you 
truly happy, and not that which cometh from man. 
Some seek it in the pleasures of sin. But do 
they find it there ? Is the sinner happy ? What 
does your Bible say ? Turn to Isaiah, 57 : 20, 
21. " But the wicked are like the troubled sea 
when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire 
and dirt. There is no peace saith my God to 
the wicked " Those who pursue the evil way of 



JOANNA W. REDDINGTON. 89 

si a have no peace or enjoyment, that deserves 
the name of happiness. Their fancied joys are 
only like a dream. They do not remain like 
those which spring from Religion. Suppose 
when you retire to-night for rest, you should have 
a very pleasant dream. When your eyes are 
closed in sleep, you dream that your father re- 
turns from abroad and brings you a valuable 
present. It is a new book. It is bound in a 
beautiful cover with several splendid engravings, 
and what is best of all, it contains some of the 
most instructive and interesting stories you have 
ever seen. You are delighted with it. Your 
eyes sparkle with joy, as you thank your father 
for it and hasten to display your gift to your 
mother or your brothers and sisters. They too, 
admire it and their commendations increase your 
pleasure. You seat yourself to read it and feel 
very happy. But presently you awake out of 
sleep, and behold it is only a dream. Your joy 
has vanished in a moment, and is succeeded by 
an unpleasant sensation of disappointment. So 
in the possession of sinful pleasures, you may 
fancy yourselves happy. But they are soon gone, 
and with them have departed your imaginary 
joys. In addition to this you are troubled with 



90 MEMOIR OF 

a consciousness of guilt, because you have sinned 
against that God before whom you must appear 
in judgment, to give an account of all the deeds 
done in the body. But the pleasures of piety 
leave no such sting behind. They will not van- 
ish like a vision of the night. They will attend 
you in prosperity, and be your solace and sup- 
port in adversity. They will cheer you in sick- 
ness, and make you happy on the bed of death. 

In concluding this narrative I wish to add the 
following beautiful lines on the death of Harriet 
Newell Hutchinson, a member of the same 
school with Joanna, and who died in Woburn, 
September 1829, at the age of eight years. They 
were composed, as it will be perceived, by the 
afflicted father, Mr. Nathaniel Hutchinson, who 
was at that time, and is still, the esteemed sup- 
erintendent of that Sabbath School. What pa- 
rent, who has seen one of his loveliest plants, 
suddenly dashed by the ruthless hand of death, 
lie withering in the dust, can read these effusions 
of a parent's heart, and not be affected by their 
beautiful simplicity and tenderness. 



JOANNA W. REDD1NGTON. 91 



On the death of H. N. Hutchinson. 

Dear little girl thy days were few, 
Those few were sweet but soon they fled, 
Eight winter's frost and summer's dew 
With fondest care we watch'd thy bed. 

And while thy simple youthful sports, 
Promised us years of future joy, 
We little thought the chill of death, 
These hopes would wither and destroy. 

Though thou art gone and we no more 
Thy voice shall hear or form shall see, 
Yet recollection's magic power 
Shall often tell some tale of thee. 

This little babe, thy brother dear, 
Whose infant arms around me twine, 
Awakens oft the silent tear, 
His features so resemble thine. 

When morning to devotion calls, 
And to our God we bend the knee, 
We think, as oft we used to do, 
That we must offer prayers for thee. 

And when the Sabbath bells are heard, 
Which call us to the house of prayer, 
We miss the press of thy warm hand, 
For oft we used to lead thee there. 



92 MEMOIR. 

When gathering for the Sabbath School, 
The children to their classes go, 
Thy sister's looks, thy vacant seat, 
Open afresh the spring of woe. 

The pew, the class, the teacher, all 
Say one is gone, though unforgot, 
We look around in vain for her, 
Ah Harriet Newell — thou art not. 

When evening comes and all is still, 
Thy sparkling eyes we seem to see, 
And hear thee lisping prayers and hymns, 
As once upon thy mother's knee. 

And when thy father fain would walk 
Along the woodland now so drear, 
He thinks with him you loved to go, 
And he would tell thee God is here. 

That God who gave thee called thee back, 
And though our hearts in anguish mourn, 
Yet the dread sleep of death shall break, 
For Christ thy life shall soon return. 

And till the clangor of that trump 
Shall shake the earth and vaulted heaven, 
Thy flesh shall rest in joyful hope, 
That to the Lamb thy soul is given. 



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